Part I: the condition of the world -- New states, old states -- The lives of the people -- Part II: becoming modern -- Westernizing the East -- The allure of industry -- The state -- Taxation -- Laggards and pathbreakers -- Russia: the reluctant laggard -- The American challenge and the love of capital -- Part III: involving the demos -- Building the nation -- A yearning for democracy sweeps the world -- Keeping the 'outsiders' out -- Suffrage -- Private affluence, public welfare -- Managing capital and labour -- God and capitalism -- Part IV: facing the world -- Europe conquers all -- The great colonial debate: the French and the British -- The first global crisis -- Protecting the economy -- Comclusion: still triumphant? Still anxious?